In a decisive move to bolster national security ahead of the upcoming general elections, Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd) Abul Fazl Md Sanaullah announced on Sunday, 4 January, the commencement of a nationwide joint forces operation. Speaking at a high-level coordination meeting organised by the Cox’s Bazar District Administration, the Commissioner revealed that the primary objective of this mission is to retrieve illegal firearms and apprehend documented criminals to ensure a peaceful voting environment.

The Election Commission (EC) has already concluded strategic meetings with the chiefs of all law enforcement agencies and the armed forces. Brigadier General Sanaullah confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to issue a formal circular regarding the operation immediately, detailing the specific parameters of the intervention. He emphasised that all divisional headquarters have already been briefed and are prepared for deployment.

Three-Pronged Strategy for Electoral Stability

The joint forces operation—comprising the police, paramilitary units, and the military—will focus on three fundamental pillars:

Recovery of Illicit Weapons: Authorities will conduct targeted raids to seize illegal arms currently in circulation. For weapons that remain unrecovered, the forces will implement measures to ensure they cannot be utilised for electoral violence or criminal intimidation.

Apprehension of Notorious Criminals: A primary mandate involves identifying, locating, and arresting “marked terrorists” and fugitives who pose a threat to the public order.

Enforcement of the Code of Conduct: While minor infractions will be handled by routine committees, the joint forces will intervene in cases of significant breaches of the electoral code by political parties or candidates to maintain the sanctity of the democratic process.

Strategic Focus on Border Security and Refugees

Given the geographical sensitivity of Cox’s Bazar, Brigadier General Sanaullah issued a stern warning regarding the Rohingya refugee camps. He instructed security agencies to “seal” the camps during the electoral period to prevent any unauthorised movement. Furthermore, he called for intensified surveillance along both land borders and maritime routes to stop insurgents and miscreants from exploiting these passages to disrupt the national polls.

The Commissioner concluded by stressing the gravity of the 13th General Election, describing it as a “critical turning point” for the nation. He warned that failure to deliver a credible and secure election would lead to severe long-term consequences for all stakeholders involved.

Core Objectives of the Joint Forces Operation